Neighborhoods

New Orleans neighborhoods are where the culture and creativity of the Crescent City come to life. From the historic French Quarter to the elegant Garden District to the music-filled Marigny- there is great food, music...more

About New Orleans

New Orleans is a magical place with a unique culture and way of life. Explore our about New Orleans pages to learn more about the city in preparation for a trip you'll never forget!...more

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Nightlife

New Orleans has many distinct neighborhoods that offer nightlife options from incredible live music on Frenchmen Street to intimate cocktails just a neighborhood away. Harrah's Casino caters to the high rollers at heart...more

Festivals

It is said that New Orleans residents should have five good costumes ready to go at any given time. Celebration is at the core of the New Orleans' experience, and to get a true taste of the city, every visitor should...more

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New Orleans Cocktails

In New Orleans, a great drink is just as important as a great meal- and great music for that matter. Check out our list of New Orleans libations and the bars, pubs and lounges where they can be enjoyed....more

Traditional New Orleans Foods

Familiarize yourself with these dishes and be well prepared to savor forkfuls of the culture, tradition and recipe perfection that have earned New Orleans its culinary legacy....more

A celebration of culture, learning and the dissemination of knowledge, Museum Day reflects the spirit of Smithsonian and emulates the free-admission policy of the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington, D.C., properties. Doors will be open free of charge at participating museums and cultural institutions nationwide for a day, encouraging support of these important educational centers.

Museum Day 2011 is poised to be the largest to date, outdoing last year’s record-breaking event. In 2010, museum goers downloaded 227,747 tickets resulting in more than 500,000 museum-goers visiting more than 1,300 venues in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. In addition to support from Citgo, Susan G. Komen for the Cure® is participating in Museum Day 2011, and visitors are encouraged to donate to this leading global breast cancer organization.

As a Museum Day 2011 participant, The Historic New Orleans Collection will offer ticket holders free admission to its guided tours. Visitors will be able to choose from the Louisiana History Galleries Tour, the Williams Residence Tour or the Courtyards and Architecture Tour, each offered at 533 Royal Street at 10 and 11 a.m., and 2 and 3 p.m.

The Louisiana History Gallery Tourhas been described as one of the best introductions to the area. The tour traces the region’s development from settlement through the present, and highlights include original documents from the transfer of the Louisiana Purchase, items from the Battle of New Orleans and decorative arts from the area.

The Williams Residence showcases the elegant French Quarter home of the institution’s founders, General and Mrs. L. Kemper Williams, who purchased the 1889 townhome in the late 1930s and furnished it with items from their world travels.

The Courtyards and Architecture Tour uses the historical structures comprising The Collection’s Royal Street complex to illustrate the numerous architectural styles seen throughout the Vieux Carré, including a Creole Cottage, an American side-hall townhome and a Creole-Italianate townhome.

Fill out a simple online form to download your Museum Day ticket. Attendees must present the ticket to gain free entry to participating institutions. One ticket provides museum access for two people, and one admission card is permitted per household. Only one Museum Day ticket per household is permitted. One ticket gains entry to only one participating museum. Only an official Museum Day ticket is eligible for free entry. Official tickets can be found on the Museum Day website, www.smithsonian.com/museumday.

About The Historic New Orleans CollectionFounded in 1966, The Historic New Orleans Collection is a museum, research center and publisher dedicated to the study and preservation of the history and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South. For more information, visit www.hnoc.org or call (504) 523-4662.

About Smithsonian Media Founded in 1970 with the launch of Smithsonian magazine, Smithsonian Media—comprising Smithsonian magazine, Air & Space, goSmithsonian, Smithsonian Publishing Digital Network, Smithsonian Books and advertising for Smithsonian Channel—allows the intellectually curious to indulge and engage their passions for history, the arts, science, the natural world, culture and travel. Smithsonian Media’s flagship publication, Smithsonian magazine, has a circulation of more than two million. This multimedia network is also affiliated with the world’s most visited museum and research complexes at the Smithsonian Institution. For more information, visit www.smithsonian.com, www.airspacemag.com, and www.gosmithsonian.com.

The Historic New Orleans Collection – Preserving our Past for a Brighter Future